Improvement in sewing-machines



THOMAS J. HARPER, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEWING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 120,815, dated November 14, 1871.

To all 'whom it may concern: l

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. HARPER, of Atlanta, Georgia, have invented certain Improvements on the Sewing-Machine invented by me and patented October 4, A. D. 1870, which patent is numbered 108,020, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is afront elevation of the sewing-machine. Fig. 2 is a side view of the shuttle-arm with a circular needle attached. Fig. 3 is aview of the under side of the sewing-machine table. Fig. 4 is the side view of the feed-bar, and Figs. 5, 6, 8, and l0 of portions of the bars that operate the feed-bar. Figs. 7 and 9 are plan views of the needle-plate corresponding to Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawing attached to my patent.

A represents the table of the sewing-machine, on the under side of which, near one end, are two ears or projections, B B, forming bearings for the driving-shaft G. The shaft Gis provided with a wheel, D, to be connected, by a belt or otherwise, with a treadle, which it is not deemed necessary to represent in the drawing, as it may be constructed in any manner desired. The shaft C is also provided with an eccentric, E, which has a Wrist or crank-pin, a, inserted in an irregular slot in the lower end of the needle-arm G for moving the same. The needle-arm G is pivoted to the curved standard H, having the presserfoot I operated by means of the spiral vspring b. The eccentric E is also provided with a strap, c, and connecting-rod J that connects with and works the shuttle-lever and driver K, which, being pivoted to and supported by means of a bracket, L, gives the shuttle a vertical circular motion in its movements back and forth. The feedbar M, which is regulated by means ofthe slidin g bar N, is operated by means ofthe sliding bar O and the bell-crank P. The bar O is pivoted to the lower end of the needle-arm G, and is at its front end, on the upper side, beveled, as shown in Fig. S, so that by the forward motion of said bar the feed-bar M will be raised up on the upper side of the table, for the purpose of catching the cloth to carry it forward. The bar O, which moves in suitable guides, is slotted near its front end, and connects with the bell-crank or lever P by one end of the crank passing through said slot, Fig. 3. The other end of the crank is also slotted, as shown in Fig. 6. The feed-bar M is provided with a regulating-lever, m, one end of which is pivoted to M 5 the other end, being slotted, as shown in Fig. 5, is connected with the sliding bar N by means of a pin in said bar. The bellcrank P connects with the feed-bar M by means of a pin in and near the the center of m, passing through the slot in P, as shown in When the bar O moves forward and has raised the feed-bar M, as above described, the rear end of the slot strikes the end of the bell-crank P, carrying it forward, enabling its other end to move the feed-bar inward. As soon as the bar O moves backward again the front end of the slot strikes the end of the crank, driving it back, the other end of it carrying the feed-bar back again.

The button-hole attachment consists of a circular needle, lo, with lever attached or combined in such a way, when secured to or arranged in its place on the machine, which is in the shuttle-race and just in front of the needle-hole, that while the short end is a circular needle to be threaded through the eye-hole in the point the long end is a lever and passes through the head .of a small bolt, t', in the upper end of the shuttie-lever.

The bolt i revolves freely in the lever, so that when the shuttle-lever moves back and forth it drives the circular needle. When the shuttlelever moves forward the point of the circular needle draws back past the the upper needle d; as it moves back the circular point passes through the loop across the upper needle, around and above the cloth, and in front of the needle, and stands so until the point of the upper needle comes down and passes through its loop; then it draws down and back, ready to again pass through the loop of the upper needle below the cloth, thus making thel button-hole stitch.

The attachment or circular needle is supplied with thread from a spool fastened to a convenient place under the machine.

Fig. 9 shows the needle-plate used when plain sewing is desired; Fig. 7, the plate used when lemme; 2

the button-hole stteh is desired; the only dfscribed, consisting of the slotted reciprocating ference is that the latter has ay short slot instead inclined bam O, feeding-dog M, slotted bellemnl; of around needle-hole, and a. projection or guide, P, link m, and adjustable barN having e pin e11- by which the circular needle passes. Figs. 9 and tering the slot in m, all arranged and operating 7 correspond with Figs. 6 and 7 of drawing :ttas set forth.

taehed to my patent. THOMAS J. HARPER. What I claim als new7 and desire to secure by Witnesses:

Letters Patent, is- ROBT. H. BROWN.,

The feeding mechanism, herein shown and de- U. K, MADDOX. y (134) 

